Bibliothèque nationale de France, Richelieu, National library in 2nd arrondissement, Paris, France.
Bibliothèque nationale de France, Richelieu is the main building of France's national library, housed in an elegant 17th century palace. The building contains several specialized departments, including sections for manuscripts, prints, maps, and other historical holdings accessible to visitors in reading rooms.
The building was originally constructed in the 17th century as a private palace and later converted to house royal collections. Over the centuries, it evolved into one of France's most important cultural institutions.
The name Richelieu honours the cardinal who expanded the royal collection. Visitors can see spaces today that show how precious manuscripts and books have been kept safe over the centuries.
Visitors should know that the building has different departments with varying access rules, so it is wise to check in advance which areas are open. Access to certain collections may require registration or advance booking, so it is worth planning ahead.
The public reading room offers free access to a collection of 20,000 works, including a notable graphic collection. This makes it possible to get a taste of the institution without needing special permissions.
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